Toddler assault trials moved

CORPUS CHRISTI - The trials of a Port Aransas woman and her former boyfriend accused of physically and sexually assaulting her 2-year-old daughter have been postponed.

Erica Friesenhahn, 24, and Benjamin Curcuru, 30, both face charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child and injury to a child. Their trials were both scheduled to begin this week in 319th District Court but were delayed to allow attorneys more time to prepare.

Curcuru's new trial is set for Oct. 6. During that trial, Curcuru also will be tried on three counts of sexual assault of a child related to allegations he assaulted a 14-year-old girl in 2003.

A new trial date for Friesenhahn has not been set.

Port Aransas police started an investigation after Friesenhahn's child was brought to a hospital in October with injuries consistent with physical and sexual assault.

The attorneys in the case are under a gag order that prevents them from discussing the case with the media.